Biography of Dr. S. W. HopkinsJasper County, MO Biographies

S. W. HOPKINS, M. D.
The standing of every profession is marked by the character of the men who represent it, and the reputation of
Dr. S. W. Hopkins stands second to none in the county as a successful and popular physician. He is a native son
of Missouri, his birth having occurred in Taney county, on the 27th of October, 1844. He is a son of Josiah and
Mahala (Phebus) Hopkins. The paternal grandfather, William Hopkins, removed from Ohio to Iowa, where he spent his
remaining days. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Elizabeth Hornback, was an aunt of Judge Hornback, who died
near Carthage. Josiah Hopkins was born in Ohio, in 1813, and received his education in the University of Ohio,
later becoming a minister in the United Brethren church. His death occurred in Kansas, to which state he had removed
from Iowa, passing away in Miami county, on the 17th of July, 1867. The mother of our subject was a daughter of
John Phebus, who was born in Scotland but came to the United States when young, locating in Iowa, where his death
afterward occurred. He married Barbara Steward, and she also departed this life in Iowa. Unto Josiah and Mahala
(Phebus) Hopkins were born eight children, our subject being now the only living representative of the family.
The father served in the Union army during the Civil war, becoming a lieutenant in Company A, Tenth Iowa Infantry,
and was afterward made major of the Forty fourth Iowa Infantry. During his service he received a slight wound.

S. W. Hopkins, whose name introduces this review, was taken to Polk county, Iowa, when four years of age, and there
received his education in the common schools and in Lane University, graduating in the latter institution in 1866.
He then entered the school room as an instructor, following that profession for ten years in Iowa and Kansas. Choosing
the profession of medicine as a life occupation, he attended lectures in Louisville, Kentucky, where he graduated
in 1879, and then began the active practice of his profession at Bower's Mill, where he remained for four years.
On the expiration of that period he came to Sarcoxie, Jasper county, where, with the exception of about one year
spent on the Pacific coast, he has ever since remained, and has built up a large and constantly growing patronage.
The Doctor is a member of the Southwest Missouri Medical Association, of which he was president for one term and
treasurer for two terms, and was also president of the Jasper County Medical Association. During Harridan's administration
he was appointed president of the United States examining board of pensions, and so ably did he discharge the duties
entrusted to his care that during President McKinley's first administration he was reappointed to the position.
He is a stanch Republican in his political affiliations, but he has never been an aspirant for political honors,
as his extensive medical practice claims his entire time and attention. In his social relations the Doctor is a
member of Sarcoxie Lodge, No. 248, I. O. O. F.

In 1867 occurred the marriage of Dr. Hopkins and Miss Candace A. Sill, a daughter of Judge Sill, of Green Castle,
Indiana, and a cousin of the wife of Professor Ridpath, the noted historian. Unto this union has been born three
sons. The eldest, Albert R., was born August 26, 1869, and after graduating in the high school at Sarcoxie he removed
to Chicago, Illinois, and became an employe in a book binding and job printing establishment. He is now engaged
in the book binding and printing business in Stockton, California. He married May B. Lowell, of Riverside, California,
and they have one daughter, Edna, born November 15, 1896. The second son, James E., was born on the 30th of March,
1871, is a graduate of the Sarcoxie high school, and is now station agent on the Southern Pacific Railroad at King
City, California. The youngest son, Herman D., was born September 15, 1876, and after completing the high school
course of this city he learned the linotype printing business, becoming an expert in that line of work, and he
is now engaged with the Kansas City Times. Dr. Hopkins has devoted the greater part of his life to the art of healing
and to the relief of the suffering. He is indeed the loved family physician in many a household, and the value
of his services to the community cannot be over estimated.

From:
The Biographical History of Jasper County, Missouri
By Hon. Malcolm G. McGregor
The Lewis Publishing Co.
Chiago 1901